Infrared Touch Interactive Flat Panels

An infrared touch IFP uses rows of invisible infrared beams across the screen bezel. Your finger or stylus breaks the beam, and the system knows where you touched.

This is the most common touch technology in education. Not because it's the fanciest — because it's the most practical. Handles large screens. Doesn't care what you use as a pen — finger, stylus, even a gloved hand. Costs less than capacitive. Holds up in rooms where sunlight hits the screen all afternoon.

If you're comparing IR to PCAP: IR is what you choose when your room has multiple users, strong ambient light, and you don't need the ultra-fine precision of a capacitive panel. Boardroom with one person controlling the screen — PCAP might fit better. Classroom where three students walk up and start writing — this is the one.

A teacher writes a math problem. Two students walk up and solve different parts at the same time. A third circles a mistake. The rest of the class watches on their tablets via screen share. Teacher saves the page. Next period picks up where they left off.